Device Design for Inspection Curved Pipes using the Mobile Robot

이동로봇을 이용한 곡관(Curved Pipes) 검사용 디바이스 설계

High temperature and high pressure heavy water flows through the pipes in atomic power plants. The curved parts of pipes are critical parts in that they change the direction of steam flow, and these parts are especially affected by severe wear. Therefore, most pipes in atomic power plants are tested by non-destructive examination by workers who use ultrasonic sensors to measure the wall thickness of pipes. But not only are these pipes located in a very dangerous environment, but the space is also very limited. For the safety of workers, it is necessary to design a device that uses a mobile robot that can inspect curved pipes. This paper presents the design and construction of a small device that can generate the necessary contact forces between ultrasonic sensors and pipe walls in a limited space. And a mobile robot is used in place ortho worker for successful non-destructive examination.